On this World Prematurity Day, We Connect the Journey from the NICU to Neurodevelopment
A baby's first hurdles should not define their life's journey. Today, as we honour the resilience of millions of "preemies" and their families, it is our responsibility as health professionals to highlight a critical connection: the link between premature birth and neurodevelopment.
We know that preterm birth (before 37 weeks) is a significant risk factor for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This is not a cause for alarm, but a powerful call to action.
A premature birth interrupts the final, crucial stages of brain development in the womb. This makes the first days and years of life a critical window for support.
For parents who have walked the path of autism: If your child was born preterm, your journey of advocacy and early intervention is a testament to this link. You are part of a global community that understands the importance of early support.
For newly married couples and expecting parents: This knowledge underscores the immense value of comprehensive prenatal care to support a full-term pregnancy and manage risks.
In India, where we face the world's highest number of preterm births, our focus must be twofold:
- Prevention: Aggressively strengthening antenatal care for every expecting mother.
- Early Action: Championing simple, powerful interventions like Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in our hospitals and ensuring robust developmental screening for all high-risk infants.
- Early detection is not just about a diagnosis; it is about unlocking a child's full potential by providing the right support at the right time.
Let us commit to a future where every child, regardless of their start, has the support they need to thrive.
Read the full blog post and find the references here: https://medium.com/@rekhasharma11/the-link-between-preterm-birth-autism-how-can-we-prevent-it-a-public-health-specialists-6ac64ebb6173
#WorldPrematurityDay #AutismAwareness #AutismIndia #PretermBirth #Neurodevelopment #EarlyIntervention #KangarooMotherCare #Parenting #IndianParents #PublicHealth
- By Dr Rekharani Sharma & Dr Aakash Raikwar